New Fatherhood Initiative at RCSD

The city school district’s new fatherhood initiative has officially launched - and a local expert in parent engagement says it could have a long-lasting effect on district students.Dr. Carol St. George is a Professor of Teaching and Curriculum at the University of Rochester’s Warner School - with a specialization on parent engagement.St. George says getting fathers more involved in their child’s education is a fairly new focus for districts nationwide. And she says there are long-lasting benefits to getting fathers more engaged in schools.She says children feel a sense of belonging more in the school setting when their families are involved or interested in their education.St. George adds there are also benefits for fathers.She says they often feel more confident in the parenting role and in helping support their child with homework and educational projects when they become more engaged in their child’s education.The district’s Operation M.A.N. initiative launched last week.One of the goals is to create a father group in each city school that doesn't already have one in place.